Magazine-integrated ammunition

ABSTRACT

A device is provided to connect the ammunition and the magazine to each other not only in terms of design, but also in terms of function. The magazine and ammunition are combined to form sub-modules, wherein a plurality of sub-modules would then be comparable to the quantity of conventional ammunition in the launcher tube. The sub-modules are then assembled and locked. The individual sub-module contains, inter alia, rifling, by means of which, during firing, the ammunition/submunition is caused to rotate and is thereby stabilized.

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/005662, which was filed on Sep. 15, 2010, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2009 043 483.6, which was filed in Germany on Sep. 30, 2009, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a magazine or magazine-integrated munitions, in particular for a launcher.

2. Description of the Background Art

One or more munitions are provided in the corresponding weapon and launcher system individually, in a belt or even in a magazine. Mechanical loads are withstood by the munitions itself. The magazine or the belt represents a munitions holder, storage facility or delivery facility for the weapon in the real sense.

A cartridge belt is depicted in AT 345 697 B and AT 346 736 B. Further cartridge belts are known from DE 1 222 824 C (which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,512), DE 33 36 192 A1 or DE 44 17 782 C2. DE 202 05 689 U1 discloses a cartridge belt with plastic elements.

DE 103 46 001 B2 discloses a launcher of the known type for protecting against end phase guided missiles. The launcher comprises juxtaposed disposed launcher chutes, whose covering is opened for ejection of the munitions from the launcher.

DE 196 17 701 A1, a further application of the applicant is concerned with a method for providing a decoy target. The active substances are ejected from a launcher and positioned by a shell that is rotated.

Such launcher systems are also subject to the wish to increase the range. If the propulsion system for the munitions and their cartridges are changed for this purpose, higher loads then act on the interface between the launcher and the munitions, so that these loads exceed the permissible level. This fact could be countered, for example, by stiffening the cartridge tube for the munitions, but a change of the magazining of the munitions in the launcher system would also have to be carried out, which in turn is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement, with which an increase in range can be achieved in a simple manner and taking costs into account.

In association with an increase in range for weapons systems and launcher systems, the relocation of functions from the munitions into the area of the magazine is worthy of consideration, since these cannot be undertaken by the munitions alone. Even from the viewpoint of a cost reduction, the colocation of individual functions of the system components should be reconsidered.

The invention is based on the idea that the munitions and the magazine can not only be structurally linked but also functionally linked. The munitions and the magazine are merged into sub-modules, so to speak, wherein a plurality of submodules (e.g. 4) is comparable with the number of conventional munitions (in the launcher or launcher chute). These submodules are then preferably connected together and locked (as a module), which is also comparable with a conventional magazine loaded with munitions. The individual sub-modules include, among other features, rifling, by means of which during firing the munitions/submunitions are set in rotation and thereby stabilized (transfer of a function from the munitions).

According to the invention, the submunitions/projectiles are integrated directly into a magazine/magazine segment, which in turn can take up the load of the munitions and can undertake munitions-relevant functions. The magazine segments or submodule segments can be connected together to form a magazine as a result of their structural shape. Alternatively, there can also be tilt/latch connections, by means of which the submodules can be connected together.

The magazine is compatible with existing launcher systems and the magazine segments are compatible with each other, which also allows an exchange of the segments within the magazine group (modular design).

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view representation of a magazine formed by the ammunition;

FIG. 2 is a side view representation of the magazine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further variant of the submodule;

FIGS. 4 a, b illustrate an alternative connection with hooks and cups at the lower end of the munitions as shown in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 a, b illustrates a connection option in the upper area of the munitions as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, submodules or magazine segments labeled with 1 are shown in a plan view, wherein four submodules 1 (1.1-1.4) form a magazine 2. The magazine 2 is preferably closed by a handle or a lock 3.

Cartridges or munitions (active bodies) that are not shown in detail are integrated into the segments 1. The individual submodules/magazine segments 1.1-1.4 comprise inter alia rifling 8, by means of which they are set rotating during firing of the munitions/submunitions/active body and are thereby stabilized.

The first submodule 1.1 comprises, for example, on one side, an undercut 5, which is structurally adapted to a protrusion 6 on the further submodules 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, so that both can be connected together. For this reason, the following submodules 1.2-1.n comprise, in addition to the protrusion 6, an undercut 5, whereas the first submodule 1.1 comprises only an undercut 5.

The magazine 2 is constructed by connecting the submodules 1.1-1.4 together. The handle 3 can be inserted into the undercut of the last submodule 1.4, in particular for transportation, and it is preferably connected with a locking device.

The embodiments described here comprise primarily a magazine 2 for a launcher with four munitions disposed one above the other. This embodiment is preferable, since known magazines generally comprise only four ejector tubes disposed one above the other (cf. DE 103 46 001 B2), which on their part form a launcher chute.

It is understood, however, that for other launcher types and/or applications, a plurality of submodules 1 can be joined together. If the submodules 1 were also to comprise lateral undercuts, a connection to further submodules 1 using this interface would also be possible.

A further variant of the design of the munitions package is shown in FIG. 3. In this case the submodules 10 (10., 10.2 and so on) are latched together.

The alternatives for the connection of these submodules 10 to each other are shown in FIGS. 4 a, b and 5 a and b.

The submodule 10 comprises at least one hook 11 on one side, preferably in the lower region, which can be brought into engagement with the cup 12 of the next submodule 10. For this purpose, the hook/hooks 11 of one submodule 10 are suspended in the cups 12 of the preceding module 10. In order to ensure a secure connection of the modules 10 in the upper region, a latch 13 can be incorporated. This can take the simple form of a snapper, for which the front module 10 comprises a notch and the next module comprises a protrusion that can engage the notch (not shown in detail). A spring bolt 14 is used as a preferred variant, which can engage behind or in a recess 15 of a part 16 extending away from the module 10.1. This allows easy release of the modules 10.1 and 10.2 from each other, (FIGS. 5 a, b). In FIG. 1, the spring bolt 14 is shown and the latch is open; in FIG. 4 b, the spring bolt 14 is closed and thus the latch is in operation. Moreover, horizontal and vertical slats 17 are located on the submodules 10.1, 10.2. These engage in each other in the latched condition. By means of the slats 17, the external forces, e.g. caused by handling etc., are captured and relieve the load on the hooking devices and the latching devices or the locking devices. The number of slats 17 can be chosen depending on the introduced force to be expected, depending on the material and depending on the configuration.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A magazine configured for munitions for a launcher for protection against end phase-guided munitions, the munitions being magazine-integrated so as to be accepted by submodules and several submodules directly form the magazine, which is pushed into the launcher or the launcher chute.
 2. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magazine is closed by a handle and/or a locking device for transportation.
 3. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the submodules are connected together.
 4. The magazine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the submodules comprise undercuts and protrusions for interconnection, wherein the first submodule of the magazine does not comprise a protrusion.
 5. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the submodules comprise at least one hook in a lower region and comprises cups corresponding to the submodules for receiving the hook(s) of the other submodules.
 6. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a latching device for the submodules is incorporated in an upper region of the submodules.
 7. The magazine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the latching device is provided in the form of a notch and a protrusion that can latch into it.
 8. The magazine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the latching device is in the form of a spring bolt, which is configured to engage in or behind a recess of a part extending away from the module.
 9. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein horizontal and vertical slats are arranged on the submodules, which engage in each other in the latched condition.
 10. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the submodules comprise rifling. 